Journalist body parts found in garden of Saudi consulate
BODY parts of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi were found yesterday as Turkey dismissed Saudi claims he was killed by “rogue” operatives.
Police made the grisly find in the garden of the consulate in Istanbul and his face had been “disfigured” and his body cut up, according to reports.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan insisted the person who ordered the death must “be brought to account” – isolating Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He spoke by phone with relatives of the slain journalist, offering condolences and pledging Turkey would do all it can to solve his murder.
Yesterday the Saudi Crown Prince and his father King Salman had a face-to-face meeting with Khashoggi’s son Salah and brother Sahel at the royal palace in Riyadh.
Stern-faced Salah was pictured shaking hands with the Crown Prince in an awkward encounter.
As the de facto ruler of the kingdom, the Crown Prince has been widely blamed for the death of his dad Jamal. Salah is believed to be unable to leave Saudi as he is banned from travelling.
The state-run news agency SPA said both royals offered their condolences.
Police have found two suitcases stuffed with Khashoggi’s personal belongings during their search of a Saudi consulate vehicle in Istanbul.
Sources said Turkish investigators carried out a search in a car park where the vehicle was found in Istanbul’s Sultangazi district on Monday.
Meanwhile, in a devastating speech to his party Mr Erdogan said Saudi King Salman’s response to the investigation had been
“credible” whilst ignoring his beleaguered son.
It is widelysuspected the Tayyip Erdogan hot-headed Crown Prince dubbed “MBS” – who has taken over much of Saudi rule from his father – ordered the killing which has shocked the world.
It is also thought the Saudis abandoned their claim Mr Khashoggi “left” the consulate building after a bungling body double wearing the journalist’s clothes wore trainers instead of proper shoes like he was.
Mr Erdogan went on to stress the investigation was ongoing but that it was clear from his detectives so far that Saudi had “pre-planned” the operation.
He added: “Intelligence and security institutions have evidence showing the murder was planned... pinning such a case on some security and intelligence members will not satisfy us or the international community.
“From the person who gave the order, to the person who carried it out, they must
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all be brought to account.” Mr Erdogan also demanded Saudi Arabia reveal the identity of a “local co-operator” who purportedly took the body, despite yesterday’s grisly discovery.
His speech coincided with the opening of an investment conference which Western political figures, leading international bankers and company executives have boycotted over the furore.
The Washington Post columnist, a sharp critic of the Crown Prince disappeared three weeks ago after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to collect documents for his marriage.
Turkish sources say authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing of the 59-year-old.
It is believed CIA Director Gina Haspel has arrived in Turkey to work on the Khashoggi investigation.
It is also thought King Salman is under increasing pressure to replace the Crown Prince who wants to clamp down on his critics.
The King has already sacked five officials over the killing carried out by a 15-man hit team, including Saud al-qahtani, a top aide who ran social media for Prince Mohammed.
The person who gave the order.. they must be brought to account TAYYIP ERDOGAN